Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Susan Hazlett

As a volunteer driven organization, we are shining the spotlight each month on one of our dedicated volunteers who are the heart of Family Promise. They work tirelessly and greatly deserve our thanks and recognition!

In June, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Susan Hazlett, co-coordinator for Family Promise activities at Church of the Palms United Methodist Church in Okatie.  This congregation has been involved with Family Promise of Beaufort County since its inception. Initially they served as a support church for Grace Coastal where they provided their overnight hospitality out of a trailer.  “For the past few years we have limited our hosting weeks as we were building a new addition,” says Susan. “One of the big drivers while developing our plan was our cornerstone mission and dedication to Family Promise.”

“In March we opened our Christian Life Center,” Susan says sharing her excitement about the additions at her church which now include showers, a washer and dryer, a huge kitchen, six large classrooms and a fellowship hall. “Our host week this month will be the first time Family Promise guests will be here since our renovations and we are excited to share the new space with them.”

Susan serves as co-coordinator with Mark Reed. “I believe we complement and support each other really well,” says Susan when describing her collaboration with Mark.  Their teamwork is often apparent. She says last year Mark had shoulder surgery and she did some of the heavy lifting. Susan currently has a broken arm so now Mark is providing the helping hand.  According to Susan, working and planning so well together enables them both to be ready to personally greet Family Promise families as they come off the bus into the facility at Church of the Palms.

Susan greatly appreciates the contributions of other volunteers. “Every time I solicit members of our congregation to share in hosting responsibilities I am humbled by the outpouring of generosity.  We are a small church and we have many returning volunteers who support this mission year after year.” Susan emphasizes this is not a program that can be accomplished by one person! “Our teamwork keeps us focused on sharing this journey and provides a chance for me to know my fellow church members closely,” she adds.

A retired kindergarten teacher, Susan lives in Bluffton with her husband Ed.  They moved to the Lowcountry five years ago from Maryland, near the metropolitan area of Washington, DC.  After vacationing and visiting areas along the southeast coast for ten years, Susan says they kept returning here because of the active lifestyle, friendly people, and South Carolina sunshine.  In their retirement Susan and Ed enjoy learning new skills, exploring their interests, and are taking time to travel. Most recently they went with neighbors on a cruise to Spain and with a group of church members to visit Jordan and Israel.

Susan also volunteers for Caring Neighbors, a Bluffton nonprofit that assists residents who want to stay in their homes as long as possible as they age.  She drives participants to doctor appointments, runs to the grocery store, and visits with and does small jobs around people’s homes. Through Caring Neighbors Susan also organizes dog walkers for a friend. Together this group of nine gets their neighbor’s furry friend out of the house and around the block twice each day.

When sharing about her family Susan says they live across the country.  Her father was an aeronautical engineer who when retired did gardening and worked until he was 87. Her mother was a para-educator who after leaving her position in a school library worked with Susan in her classroom until she was in her 80s.  The focus now for Susan and her siblings is helping care for their parents who are in their nineties and dealing with dementia. Susan says the modern world and technology enable her and her siblings to communicate and meet their parents’ ever-changing needs.

Susan brings great joy and pride to her work with Family Promise. “During the week families are with us I love the smiles, kind words, and evidence of strength of character in the individuals who are working hard to change their circumstances.  For me it is a privilege to be a part of that opportunity.”

Susan, we thank you for all that you do and the happiness you share with those who have the opportunity to meet you!